The Kerala High Court on Thursday permitted the two Italian marines, accused of shooting two fishermen off Kerala coast, to visit their homes for Christmas provided the Centre accept the Italy's undertaking.

Italian Ambassador had given an undertaking that it would ensure the marines return to India.
Strongly opposing the plea of the marines, T. Asaf Ali, Director General of Prosecution appearing for the state government had submitted that they would not come back to face the trial once they were allowed to go home. He argued that the undertakings placed before the court by the Italian Ambassador and Consul General that the marines would be brought back were not bona fide. The state submitted that they were trying to take the accused out of the country under the pretext of celebrating Christmas. Once they reach Italy, they would be arrested and put behind bars for a crime registered in Italy on the same charge, rendering invalid the undertakings.

However, the counsel for the Italy assured the court that it would ensure that the Marines were brought back to India after Christmas.

The Kerala High Court on Thursday permitted the two Italian marines, accused of shooting two fishermen off Kerala coast, to visit their homes for Christmas provided the Centre accept the Italy's undertaking.

Italian Ambassador had given an undertaking that it would ensure the marines return to India.
Strongly opposing the plea of the marines, T. Asaf Ali, Director General of Prosecution appearing for the state government had submitted that they would not come back to face the trial once they were allowed to go home. He argued that the undertakings placed before the court by the Italian Ambassador and Consul General that the marines would be brought back were not bona fide. The state submitted that they were trying to take the accused out of the country under the pretext of celebrating Christmas. Once they reach Italy, they would be arrested and put behind bars for a crime registered in Italy on the same charge, rendering invalid the undertakings.

However, the counsel for the Italy assured the court that it would ensure that the Marines were brought back to India after Christmas.

Judge slaps stringent conditions on petitioners and asks them to execute a guarantee for Rs. 6 crore

The Kerala High Court on Thursday permitted Italian marines Latorre Massimillano and Salvatore Girone, accused of killing two Indian fishermen off the Kerala coast, to visit home for Christmas, if the Union government accepts Romeâ€™s undertaking that it would ensure their return to India.

The court disposed of the petitions filed by the marines, who are out on bail, seeking permission to visit their families. They also wanted the court to relax the bail conditions that they not leave the Kochi City Police Commissioner's jurisdiction.

Justice P. Bhavadasan said that if the Union government felt that the undertaking given by the Italian Ambassador and Consul-General could be accepted, the bail conditions shall stand modified. The marines could remain in Italy for two weeks from the date of departure (during the Christmas festival). But they should return to India by 3 p.m. on January 10. Their passports shall be released on production of necessary travel documents and on an unconditional undertaking that they would return to India and surrender their passports at 3 p.m. on January 10.

They should also execute a bank guarantee for Rs. 6 crore in court and the Ambassador and the Consul-General should file affidavits to the effect that they would maintain surveillance of the marines during their travel to and stay in Italy and promise that they would be produced in court at or before the time specified by the High Court.

The authorities concerned who were to maintain surveillance shall furnish the Kochi Police Commissioner with their address and mobile phone numbers and their movements in Italy, the judge said.

If the Union government felt that the undertakings by the Italian diplomats were acceptable, it could decide whether permission could be granted and necessary documents provided for their travel.

Dismissing the State governmentâ€™s contention that the undertaking from the Italian diplomats could not be accepted, the court said the instance of the failure of a French citizen involved in the French espionage case to return to India after going home could not be â€œstretched to thwart every subsequent such issues, and each case will have to be determined upon its own facts.â€

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Absolute shame. Sadhvi Pragya who has breast cancer is refused bail even for treatment, but the Italian killers can go home to celeberate Christmas. Well played Vatican. Well played. We can forget them coming back.

"I don't think they had fired at the Indian fishermen purposely. It might have been an error of judgment. I am not aware of the legal complexities of the case. They had erred and served a term in prison. The philosophy of the church is to forgive. Let them go and meet their wives and kids," Archbishop M Susaipakiyam told TOI on Saturday.

Susaipakiyam was talking about the bail and permission granted to Italian marines Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone to travel home for Christmas.

Susaipakiyam didn't find anything unusual in the court granting bail and the Union government granting travel permission for the marines. "I think the decision will only help to strengthen the diplomatic relation between Italy and India. They are fully cooperating with the trial. There is no point disbelieving the assurance given by Italian minister and senior officials. After the bail period, they will come back," he said.

"I don't think they had fired at the Indian fishermen purposely. It might have been an error of judgment. I am not aware of the legal complexities of the case. They had erred and served a term in prison. The philosophy of the church is to forgive. Let them go and meet their wives and kids," Archbishop M Susaipakiyam told TOI on Saturday.

Susaipakiyam was talking about the bail and permission granted to Italian marines Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone to travel home for Christmas.

Susaipakiyam didn't find anything unusual in the court granting bail and the Union government granting travel permission for the marines. "I think the decision will only help to strengthen the diplomatic relation between Italy and India. They are fully cooperating with the trial. There is no point disbelieving the assurance given by Italian minister and senior officials. After the bail period, they will come back," he said.

I don't think they had fired at the Indian fishermen purposely. It might have been an error of judgment. I am not aware of the legal complexities of the case. They had erred and served a term in prison. The philosophy of the church is to forgive. Let them go and meet their wives and kids," Archbishop M Susaipakiyam

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I am delighted to observe the compassion this Pado is showing for the citizens of the Holy Roman Empire.

For these type of lackeys of the Pope, the citizens of their native land is not material and they still live in a dream that the Holy Roman Empire exists!

Did this fool in religious attire speak up for the death of the Indian lady who died in Ireland because the silly religious rules did not allow abortion?

Or was that also an error of judgement?

One must be loyal to his country first and then to the requirement of the religion, if indeed there is such a requirement!

We have forgiven Italian naval guards, archbishop Susaipakiyam

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Who is 'We'.

The fishermen killed and those who killed them maybe Roman Catholics.

But since when has this country's law decided to apply separately for each religious groups with the fool clergy as the decider of law?

This man should be horsewhipped for commenting on the agony of all Indians and forgiving the killers because they are closer in proximity to kiss the Pope's numerous rings that he adorns on his fingers!

There appears to be something behind the lines. Strengthing of diplomatic relation? As if not granting permission would result in snapped diplomatic relations. Maybe this threat was given. Or that Italy would orchestrate the EU.

"I don't think they had fired at the Indian fishermen purposely. It might have been an error of judgment. I am not aware of the legal complexities of the case. They had erred and served a term in prison. The philosophy of the church is to forgive. Let them go and meet their wives and kids," Archbishop M Susaipakiyam told TOI on Saturday.

Susaipakiyam was talking about the bail and permission granted to Italian marines Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone to travel home for Christmas.

Susaipakiyam didn't find anything unusual in the court granting bail and the Union government granting travel permission for the marines. "I think the decision will only help to strengthen the diplomatic relation between Italy and India. They are fully cooperating with the trial. There is no point disbelieving the assurance given by Italian minister and senior officials. After the bail period, they will come back," he said.